The iconic creations of Cristobal Balenciaga

One of the most important haute couture brands to show in Paris, Balenciaga has been turning heads since 1919. Despite Cristobal Balenciaga facing hardships after the house was founded in Spain, Balenciaga began modernizing fashion’s main stage after relocating to Paris in 1937.

    Every great fashion house comes with a series of iconic looks and Balenciaga is no exception. Although the brand’s identity today has evolved significantly from its original ethos, Cristobal’s pieces continue to captivate both old and new fans.

     One of Balenciaga’s most early, yet radical creations is the sack dress. In the 1950s, when most fashion houses favored garments that hugged the hips and promoted a tight hourglass figure, Balenciaga sought to relax typical tailoring. Instead, he opted for a loose, fluid form. Pushing past the status quo, Cristobal Balenciaga wanted to release women from constrictive dresses and provide a fashionable, yet comfortable alternative.​

     Another of Cristobal’s creations called upon his heritage: the infanta dress. The design was based upon the baroque portraiture of Diego Velázquez, the first painter in the court of Philip IV of Spain. Known for dramatic and intense compositions, Velàzquez painted portraits of royals in elaborate 17th century garments. Paying homage to the painter and the history of Spanish fashion, the infanta dress was born. With a dramatic waistline, tight fitting bodice, and unfurling skirt, the infanta dress was immensely popular.

    Further in his career, Cristobal Balenciaga crafted the tulip dress. With a deconstructed shape, the tulip dress uses multiple layers of fabric to delicately unfold into the form of petals. Hugging the body, yet also delicately balancing negative space, this garment is a striking example of Balenciaga’s inventive mind and creative genius.

Continuing to play with broad, elegant garments, Balenciaga created the balloon silhouette in 1953. Fashioned into dresses, skirts, and jackets, these pieces redefined the feminine form in fashion. Not only would this look become a classic part of Balenciaga’s house, but would also become a permanent installation in the womenswear industry and influence many designers' creations in the future.

With a diverse history and an incredibly wide range of pieces and styles, Balenciaga has no shortage of garments to reflect on. Not only were these pieces pivotal in the house of Balenciaga, but also in how haute couture developed all throughout the mid and late 20th century. Cristobal Balenciaga’s complex world of fashion has not and never will fail to amaze.